The last Eddie ran seven years ago when the Bay roared to life in 2009. At that contest, Ramón Navarro surfed some of the biggest waves of the day and earned a 5th place finish among the best big-wave surfers in the world. If that wasn’t enough of a career highlight, he was also

As the waiting period for the 2016 Eddie draws to a close on Feb. 29th, a key chapter in Clyde’s life is also closing as well. After this year, Clyde Aikau will be retiring from the competition. Amazingly, at the age of 66, he’s still charging enormous waves at Waimea Bay!

Eddie Aikau's legacy is a timeless journey that transcends the sport of surfing. Today, he is a cultural-icon and Hawaiian Hero. In honor of this year's Quicksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau, Nicollete Smith celebrated the brave waterman's legacy in a piece published by Planet Save.

Featured Books

Eddie Would Go The Story of Eddie Aikau, Hawaiian Hero

EDDIE WOULD GO is the only biography of one of Hawaii's greatest heroes. Eddie Aikau was a humble man who was larger than life. As a surfer, he rode the biggest waves in the world; as a lifeguard, he saved hundreds of lives from the North Shore's treacherous waters; and as a proud Hawaiian, he sacrificed his life to save his fellow sailors aboard the voyaging canoe Hokule'a.

Eddie Aikau, Hawaiian Hero

A biography of the legendary Hawaiian. Before he became internationally recognized as a big wave surfer and waterman, Aikau strived to find himself and his place in the world as a Hawaiian. His journey of self-discovery continues to inspire a culture, the surfing community, and those reconnecting the world over with the art ancient navigation.

Reviews

“Unless you’ve been living under a very large rock, you’ve undoubtedly seen bumper stickers emblazoned with the phrase ‘Eddie Would Go’ and heard of the Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau big wave event. But if that’s where your knowledge of the famous Hawaiian waterman drops off–read on.

Piecing together interviews from the Aikau family, Eddie’s friends and a handful of surfing icons, Stuart Holmes Coleman chronicles the life–and untimely death–of this North Shore legend. The book ranges from tales of Eddie’s perilous rescues as a lifeguard at Waimea to the huge parties at the Aikau family home to his accomplishments as a big wave charger. Along the way, the author paints an intriguing picture of the North Shore scene during the 60′s and 70′s, detailing the growth of the professional surfing tour, the emergence of localism, and historic sessions at Waimea. As readers soon find out though, Eddie’s life wasn’t all shakas and barrels. Coleman’s book dutifully describes both the joy and the tragedies that marked Eddie’s life and shaped the quiet, introspective man. It all culminates with the tragic story of the sinking of the voyaging canoe Hokule’a and Eddie’s heroic efforts to save his fellow crew members. As the canoe foundered in stormy seas, he decided to paddle his surfboard for help–never to be seen again. “Although the first half of the book reads a bit unsteadily, your patience is rewarded and the book becomes something of a pageturner. Bottom line: Every surfer worth his salt will appreciate ‘Eddie Would Go.”

Mark Anders – Surfer Mag

“It’s amazing the impact Eddie had on the surfing world and Hawaii. It touches the community at a real grass-roots level.”

Kelly Slater,

World Champion Surfer

“Eddie Aikau was a real Hawaiian hero. In the end, Eddie’s story is about hope and healing.”